The Legend of Zelda is more than just a series of games—it’s a cornerstone of the gaming industry, one that has shaped how developers approach storytelling, world design, puzzles, and combat for decades. But its impact goes beyond the AAA gaming sphere. Many modern indie games have drawn heavily from the Zelda franchise, taking its core mechanics and themes and blending them with fresh ideas, retro aesthetics, and innovative storytelling. In this article, we’ll explore how The Legend of Zelda has influenced the thriving indie game scene and look at some standout titles that wear their Zelda inspiration proudly on their sleeves.
1. Zelda’s Open-World Exploration in Indie Games
The sense of freedom and exploration that Zelda introduced, especially in the original 1986 game and later with Breath of the Wild, set the template for open-world adventure games. Zelda’s non-linear exploration, where players could choose where to go, what to do, and in what order, laid the groundwork for countless indie titles.
Example: A Short Hike
In A Short Hike, you play as a bird exploring a peaceful island, climbing mountains, and discovering hidden secrets. Much like in Breath of the Wild, you’re free to explore at your own pace, with no strict objectives guiding you. The game’s minimalist design emphasizes the joy of discovery, much like Zelda’s iconic sense of curiosity-driven exploration. The island’s layout, filled with secret paths and collectibles, gives off a distinctly Zelda-like feeling of “Where can I go next?” without the pressure of combat.
Example: Minit
Minit takes Zelda’s exploration philosophy and adds a unique twist: you only have 60 seconds to explore before you die and restart. While this might sound stressful, the game cleverly turns exploration into a race against time, forcing you to learn the world’s layout, just like you would in a classic Zelda dungeon. The retro, black-and-white aesthetic even gives off an old-school Zelda vibe, echoing the NES and Game Boy Zelda titles.
2. Puzzle Design and Dungeon Crawling
Zelda’s dungeons are iconic for their puzzle-based gameplay, where players must solve environmental puzzles, find keys, and defeat bosses to progress. This design has inspired many indie games to take on Zelda’s style of dungeon crawling, blending combat and brain-teasing challenges in increasingly creative ways.
Example: Tunic
Tunic is a love letter to the Legend of Zelda franchise. From the moment you step into its vibrant, isometric world as a tiny fox in a green tunic (sound familiar?), you can feel Zelda’s influence everywhere. The game’s dungeons are filled with tricky puzzles, hidden treasures, and boss fights, all harking back to classic Zelda gameplay. The sense of discovery and exploration in Tunic is reminiscent of the original Zelda’s non-linear design, with players often stumbling upon secrets in unexpected places.
Example: The Swords of Ditto
The Swords of Ditto is another indie gem that pulls from the Zelda formula, with procedurally generated dungeons that feel like something out of A Link to the Past. You collect items, solve puzzles, and defeat enemies, all while progressing through a world filled with charm and whimsy. The dungeons are packed with traps and secrets, encouraging players to experiment with their tools—just like in a Zelda game.
3. Combat Systems Inspired by Zelda
Zelda’s combat has evolved over the years, from the 2D top-down combat of the original game to the more refined 3D mechanics of Ocarina of Time and Breath of the Wild. Many indie games have taken inspiration from Zelda’s real-time combat, creating challenging, fast-paced systems where players must balance offense, defense, and environmental awareness.
Example: Hyper Light Drifter
Hyper Light Drifter takes Zelda’s 2D combat and cranks up the intensity. While exploring a beautifully rendered, pixel-art world, players must navigate through dangerous dungeons, facing enemies in fast, fluid combat. The game’s stamina-based dashes, slashes, and strategic use of ranged attacks feel like a love letter to Zelda’s top-down combat systems, but with a more modern, action-oriented twist. The cryptic storytelling and minimalist world-building are also reminiscent of Zelda’s subtle narrative cues.
Example: Death’s Door
In Death’s Door, you play as a small crow collecting souls, and the game’s combat is heavily inspired by The Legend of Zelda. Much like A Link to the Past, Death’s Door combines hack-and-slash combat with puzzles and exploration, making each encounter feel like a blend of thinking on your feet and strategic planning. Boss fights in Death’s Door are particularly reminiscent of Zelda, with players needing to study attack patterns and use items effectively to survive. The game’s tight combat system echoes the methodical pace of classic Zelda games, creating a challenging yet rewarding experience.
4. Environmental Storytelling and Lore
Zelda games are known for their deep lore, mysterious ruins, and worlds brimming with history. While some Zelda games are more narrative-focused (Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword), others like Breath of the Wild excel in environmental storytelling—allowing players to piece together the world’s history through exploration and subtle visual cues. Indie games have embraced this form of storytelling, crafting worlds that speak through their environments rather than through heavy dialogue or exposition.
Example: Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight is a shining example of environmental storytelling. Much like Zelda’s dungeons and ruins, the game’s underground kingdom of Hallownest is filled with cryptic secrets, ancient lore, and hidden areas that reveal more about the world’s tragic history. The way players uncover this lore—through exploration, item descriptions, and the layout of the world—feels reminiscent of how Breath of the Wild lets players piece together Hyrule’s story by exploring its ruins.
Example: Fez
Fez may not have a traditional combat system, but it excels in using its environment to tell its story. The game’s world is full of hidden secrets and cryptic puzzles, many of which require players to look at the game from different perspectives—literally. Much like The Legend of Zelda, Fez’s world feels like it holds countless secrets, waiting to be uncovered by the most dedicated players. The game’s love for hidden mysteries and environmental clues feels like a spiritual successor to the way Zelda games encourage players to dig deeper into their worlds.
5. Non-Linear Storytelling and Player Choice
One of the standout features of Breath of the Wild is its non-linear approach to storytelling. Players are free to explore Hyrule at their own pace, discovering the main narrative in pieces, if they choose to engage with it at all. This approach to storytelling—where the player has agency over how much they engage with the story and in what order—has resonated with indie developers looking to create more open, player-driven experiences.
Example: Outer Wilds
Outer Wilds is a brilliant example of non-linear storytelling that draws inspiration from Zelda’s open-ended approach. In this space-exploration game, players unravel a mystery by exploring a solar system trapped in a time loop. There are no markers, no guiding arrows—just curiosity. Much like in Breath of the Wild, players uncover the story at their own pace, piecing together the mystery through exploration, environmental clues, and puzzles. The freedom to go anywhere, at any time, and discover the narrative through exploration feels like a direct nod to Zelda’s sense of adventure.
Example: Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King
Blossom Tales wears its Zelda inspiration proudly, and like Breath of the Wild, it allows players to tackle dungeons in whatever order they see fit. This freedom gives players the ability to chart their own path through the game, encouraging exploration and creative problem-solving. The game’s structure feels heavily influenced by A Link to the Past, with an open-world map that gives players freedom to choose how they approach the adventure.
6. Innovative Item Use and Progression
One of the hallmarks of Zelda games is the acquisition and clever use of items. In nearly every Zelda game, players must use items like the Hookshot, Boomerang, or Bombs to solve puzzles, defeat enemies, and access new areas. Indie games have taken this concept of item-based progression and run with it, creating unique mechanics that hinge on item discovery and clever item usage.
Example: Moonlighter
In Moonlighter, players take on the role of a shopkeeper who ventures into dangerous dungeons to find items to sell. The game’s dungeon-crawling and item acquisition feel very Zelda-like, with each new weapon or tool opening up new strategies for exploration and combat. Moonlighter’s loop of dungeon diving and item collecting is directly inspired by Zelda’s mechanic of finding new tools to unlock further exploration.
Example: Enter the Gungeon
Enter the Gungeon is a bullet-hell roguelike where every weapon is a new toy to play with. The concept of using various quirky, sometimes bizarre, items to navigate dungeons feels very Zelda-inspired, especially when you start collecting guns that alter your abilities and unlock new areas. The fast-paced, item-driven gameplay brings a modern twist to Zelda’s classic item discovery mechanic, making every run feel like a new puzzle to solve with the tools at hand.
Conclusion: Zelda’s Lasting Legacy in Indie Games
The Legend of Zelda has left an indelible mark on the world of indie game development, inspiring countless creators to blend exploration, puzzle-solving, combat, and storytelling in innovative ways. From the non-linear freedom of Breath of the Wild to the item-based progression and dungeon-crawling of classic Zelda titles, the series’ core design principles have become blueprints for many indie games looking to capture that same sense of adventure and discovery.
As the indie gaming scene continues to grow, we’ll no doubt see even more games taking inspiration from The Legend of Zelda. The franchise’s timeless mechanics and creative freedom make it the perfect touchstone for developers who want to craft memorable, player-driven experiences. Whether it’s through exploration, combat, or storytelling, the influence of Zelda will continue to shape the world of indie gaming for years to come.